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In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said: Whatever you ask I shall give you. Solomon answered: “You have shown great kindness to your servant, David my father, because he walked before you with fidelity, justice, and an upright heart; and you have continued this great kindness toward him today, giving him a son to sit upon his throne. Now, Lord, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed David my father; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act— I, your servant, among the people you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil. For who is able to give judgment for this vast people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased by Solomon’s request. 11 So God said to him: Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right— 12 I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you. 13 (A)In addition, I give you what you have not asked for: I give you such riches and glory that among kings there will be no one like you all your days. 14 And if you walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and commandments, as David your father did, I will give you a long life. 15 Solomon awoke; it was a dream! He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, sacrificed burnt offerings and communion offerings, and gave a feast for all his servants.

Solomon’s Listening Heart.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 3:16–5:14 The fourth major unit of the Solomon story shows how Solomon used the three gifts that the Lord gave him in 3:12–13: a listening heart (3:16–28), riches (4:1–5:8), universal renown (5:9–14). In each case his gifts benefited the populace, from the lowest classes (3:16–28) to his whole people (4:20; 5:5) to the whole world (5:9–14). Compare 9:26–10:29, where the same three gifts all redound to the benefit of Solomon himself.

At Gibeon the Lord appeared(A) to Solomon during the night in a dream,(B) and God said, “Ask(C) for whatever you want me to give you.”

Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful(D) to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son(E) to sit on his throne this very day.

“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child(F) and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen,(G) a great people, too numerous to count or number.(H) So give your servant a discerning(I) heart to govern your people and to distinguish(J) between right and wrong. For who is able(K) to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked(L) for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment(M) in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked.(N) I will give you a wise(O) and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not(P) asked for—both wealth and honor(Q)—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal(R) among kings. 14 And if you walk(S) in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”(T) 15 Then Solomon awoke(U)—and he realized it had been a dream.(V)

He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings(W) and fellowship offerings.(X) Then he gave a feast(Y) for all his court.

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Yes, if you call for intelligence,
    and to understanding raise your voice;
If you seek her like silver,
    and like hidden treasures search her out,
Then will you understand the fear of the Lord;
    the knowledge of God you will find;
For the Lord gives wisdom,
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;(A)
He has success in store for the upright,
    is the shield of those who walk honestly,
Guarding the paths of justice,
    protecting the way of his faithful ones,
Then you will understand what is right and just,
    what is fair, every good path;
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
    knowledge will be at home in your soul,
11 Discretion will watch over you,
    understanding will guard you;

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indeed, if you call out for insight(A)
    and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,(B)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.(C)
For the Lord gives wisdom;(D)
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.(E)
He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield(F) to those whose walk is blameless,(G)
for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones.(H)

Then you will understand(I) what is right and just
    and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,(J)
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.(K)

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